Throughout September, the Giant Company is partnering with its customers and team members to donate funds and products, volunteer and raise awareness to help eliminate hunger in the communities it serves in honor of Hunger Action Month. Established in 2008, Hunger Action Month is the Feeding America nationwide network for food banks' awareness campaign designed to mobilize the public to act on the issue of hunger.

Customers and team members are encouraged to donate nonperishable food at any Giant, Martin's or Giant Heirloom Market to benefit local food bank partners. The donation drive began on Sept. 8 and will run through Sunday, Sept. 18.

Giant will donate a total of $400,000 to 20 partner food banks across its operating area in recognition of Hunger Action Day on Friday, Sept. 23. In addition, Giant and Martin's team members from across all stores will participate in volunteer efforts with food bank partners that day and throughout the week assisting with packing, stocking and organizing efforts.

Customers can support their local food banks by rounding up the dollar amount on their purchase at checkout or by purchasing a reusable bag, with 50 cents from the purchase of each bag going toward hunger action efforts.

Last year, Giant, its customers and supplier partners donated more than $3.1 million to local hunger relief organizations and team members volunteered 7,616 hours throughout Hunger Action Month.

In addition, Giant's team of dietitians will offer a full schedule of free, live classes via Zoom for chefs of all ages this September and October.

Every Tuesday in September at noon Giant dietitians will host a hunger action virtual class series. Each week will feature an orange-inspired (the official color for Hunger Action Month) recipe demonstration while educating attendees on hunger in local communities.

Family Meals at 5 will be offered on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. Attendees will learn how to create a meal live in under 30 minutes. Also, in honor of Family Meals Month, the dietitians are giving away three pantry makeover experiences worth up to $150 each. Virtual dietitian class attended throughout September counts as one sweepstakes entry.

On Thursdays at noon, the public can participate in an orange plate challenge. Topics covered will include paying it forward, budget-savvy shopping and meal building with tools.

Kids in the Kitchen will be offered every Saturday at 10 a.m. The classes will be Disney themed and open to children of all ages.

Dietitian Myth-Busters will be offered on Mondays at 7 p.m. in October. The dietitians will uncover truths to common myths like protein misconceptions, whether eating healthy is too expensive and the sugar stigma.

"Spooktacular" classes will be held during the week leading up to Halloween.

All classes are free to attend, but advance registration is required for each class at http://www.thegiantcompanynutritionists.eventbrite.com. A complete listing of all the virtual classes and ingredients needed for each class may be found on the event page. In addition, customers can earn 50 CHOICE Rewards points when they register, provide their card number and attend the entire class.